Playing Enshrouded with friends is one of the best ways to explore Embervale, build settlements, and defeat challenging bosses. However, before starting a multiplayer world, you'll need to decide whether to host a co-op session directly from your game or use a dedicated server.
Both options allow players to share the same world, but they differ in performance, availability, and server management. Running an Enshrouded server independently of your game can be particularly useful when friends want to play at different times.
This guide compares Enshrouded co-op hosting with dedicated servers to help you choose the right setup for your group.
What Is Enshrouded Co-Op Hosting?
Co-op hosting allows you to create a multiplayer session directly from Enshrouded without installing separate server software.
To host a session:
- Launch Enshrouded.
- Select Play from the main menu.
- Choose Host.
- Select an existing world or create a new one.
- Configure your session settings and invite your friends.
Your computer handles both the game and the multiplayer session.
This is convenient for smaller groups that usually play together, but there's one major limitation: when the host closes the game, the session ends.
Other players cannot continue exploring the shared world until the host starts another session.
What Is An Enshrouded Dedicated Server?
An Enshrouded dedicated server runs separately from the game itself, allowing players to connect without requiring the original host to be playing.
You can run dedicated server software on your own computer or VPS, or rent server resources from a hosting provider.
The main benefit is independence. As long as the dedicated server remains online, players can access the world even when the person who originally created it is offline.
There are differences between Enshrouded self-hosting and dedicated hosting, particularly regarding hardware, networking, and maintenance responsibilities. However, both options provide a standalone dedicated server rather than a player-hosted co-op session.
Enshrouded Co-Op vs Dedicated Server: Key Differences
Both methods support multiplayer gameplay, but dedicated servers offer more flexibility for groups that don't always play together.
<table style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse;">
<thead>
<tr>
<th style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px; text-align:left;">Feature</th>
<th style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px; text-align:left;">Co-Op Hosting</th>
<th style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px; text-align:left;">Dedicated Server</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Server Availability</td>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Only while the host is playing</td>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Whenever the server is running</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Hardware</td>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Host's gaming computer</td>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Separate server process or remote hardware</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Setup</td>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Simple in-game setup</td>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Requires server installation or hosting provider</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">World Access</td>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Depends on the host</td>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Independent of individual players</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Hosting Cost</td>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">No separate server rental required</td>
<td style="border:1px solid #999; padding:10px;">Own hardware costs or rental fees</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>Which Option Offers Better Performance?
Performance depends on your computer's hardware, available resources, network connection, and player activity.
When hosting a co-op session, your computer runs Enshrouded while also handling multiplayer connections. This can increase CPU and memory usage, particularly when several players explore different areas simultaneously.
Dedicated servers separate the game server from the host's gameplay session.
However, a dedicated server isn't automatically faster. A poorly configured machine with limited resources can still experience lag.
The Enshrouded server requirements depend on player count and world activity, making sufficient CPU performance, RAM, and network bandwidth important for larger groups.
For players experiencing performance limitations with local co-op hosting, moving to a dedicated server may help reduce the workload on their gaming computer.
Which Option Is Easier To Set Up?
Co-op hosting is the simplest option because you can start directly from the game's multiplayer menu.
Dedicated servers require additional setup, particularly when self-hosting.
Installing a dedicated Enshrouded server on your own hardware involves downloading the server software, configuring settings, and ensuring players can connect through your network.
The process of creating an Enshrouded 1.0 server also involves managing the dedicated server's installation and ongoing updates.
With our Enshrouded hosting, the server software is installed automatically, and you can manage your world through our game panel.
You still have control over important options. Your Enshrouded server settings determine player limits, gameplay difficulty, permissions, and other multiplayer configurations.
Can You Move A Co-Op World To A Dedicated Server?
Yes. Starting with co-op hosting doesn't mean you need to abandon your world if you decide to switch to a dedicated server later.
Enshrouded stores world data separately from individual character progression, allowing an existing world to be moved to another server.
The process of transferring a single-player Enshrouded world to a dedicated server involves locating your existing world save and placing the necessary files in the destination server's save directory.
Your existing buildings, Flame Altars, and shared world progression can therefore be preserved.
It's important to back up your world before transferring files or changing hosting methods.
Should You Choose Co-Op Or A Dedicated Server?
Co-op hosting is generally the better choice if your group is small, everyone plays at similar times, and you don't mind keeping your game open whenever friends want to join.
Dedicated servers are more suitable for groups that want:
- A multiplayer world available independently of the original host.
- Players joining at different times.
- Separate server resources.
- More control over server management.
- A persistent world for an established community.
The underlying Enshrouded multiplayer progression remains the same, regardless of which hosting method you choose. The main difference is how and when players can access the world.
Start Your Enshrouded Dedicated Server With Pine Hosting
Both co-op hosting and dedicated servers are good ways to experience Enshrouded multiplayer. However, dedicated hosting offers greater flexibility when your group wants to play independently.
With Enshrouded server hosting from Pine Hosting, your world can remain available without depending on someone's gaming computer.
Our game panel includes server configuration tools, backups, scheduled restarts, automatic updates, and resource monitoring, allowing you to manage your world without handling the technical setup yourself.
Whether you're moving an existing co-op world or starting a new multiplayer adventure, Pine Hosting provides the tools and resources needed to keep your Enshrouded server running smoothly.
